Bollywood shoots: Pricey terminals!

By HT

New Delhi, Aug. 16 -- Around the world, filmmakers have often used airports to shoot dramatic climax scenes. In Bollywood, films such as Jaane Tu ... Ya Jaane Na (2008) and Chalte Chalte (2003), among others, have done it.

Recently, an upcoming film - starring Arjun Kapoor and Sonakshi Sinha - was in the news for being the first film to be shot at Delhi's swanky Terminal 3 (T3). Now, it has been revealed that the shooting location cost the makers a fair bit of money.

A source close to the project reveals, "Boney Kapoor (producer) was sure he wanted a particular scene (that's crucial to the climax) to be shot there. Since the movie has been largely shot in Agra, he didn't want to shoot at some other airport and pass it off as Delhi."

Quiz the source about the money involved, and the insider reveals that the amount ran into seven figures (almost ' 30 lakh), even though it was just a two-day shoot. The source says, "They did eight-hour shifts for two days. Although we don't know what the exact sum was, apparently it cost about ' 5 lakh-plus for every three hours. Also, the unit adhered to all the guidelines laid down by the airport authorities."

When contacted, Arjun confirms having shot there, but keeps mum about the expenses. However, he says, "Dad (Boney Kapoor) was insistent on shooting there. T3 has never been used before. It was difficult, in terms of practicality. But the authorities were very helpful."

We contacted the airport authorities, but, at the time of going to press, we hadn't got a response.